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The Complete FAQ Guide to Nintendo Labo

Nintendo have made a name for themselves over the years for their left field ideas. Nowhere is that truer in their latest innovation, the Nintendo Switch accessories called Labo. Labo combines sheets of cardboard with game software to help turn your Switch into an interactive gaming device like no other.

With Labo destined to become one of the must-buy gifts for any Switch owner over the next few months, we’ve put together the answers to just about every question you may have about starting your own Labo adventure!

How does Labo work?

Labo combines accessories with on-screen software to create interactive games. These accessories are made from cardboard, and come as flat sheets. It’s up to you to then construct them and use them in conjunction with the minigames that come on the game cartridge.

In addition to the specially designed kits, the Labo software enables you to design your own games and basic functions that you can then combine with your own cardboard designs. The only real limit is your imagination!

How many different Labo kits are there, and what do they contain?

There are currently three available Labo kits:

Labo: Toy-Con 01 Variety Kit

Likely to be the most popular Labo kit thanks to – as the name alludes to – the variety it provides. In all, there are five sets included, plus a couple of extra sheets of cardboard you can use to create some of your own inventions in the Labo ‘Garage’.

The included games are:

RC Car – drive a small car around using the vibrations from the Switch’s Joy-Con controllers

Fishing rod – build a functioning rod, line and all, and catch fish on the Switch screen

House – build your Switch a home and play some minigames once inside

Motorbike – swerve through traffic with your homemade handlebars

Piano – play, practice and even compose on your very own mini piano

Labo: Toy-Con 02 Robot Kit

As the name suggests, the second Labo kit comes with just one kit – the robot. This elaborate backpack and headset gives you the power to fight giant robots as they rampage through a city.

Labo: Customisation Set

This small set is designed to supplement either kit 01 or 02, and comes with tape, stencils and stickers to help personalisation your other Labo creations.

Will more Labo kits be released?

Though we have had no confirmation either way yet, it seems extremely likely that we’ll see more kits released in the future. The numbering system used on the first two kits – 01 and 02 – certainly hints at more to come. Who knows, perhaps Nintendo will wait to see what brilliant inventions people come up with and use those ideas in future kits?

How much does Nintendo Labo cost?

Currently, the Labo: Toy-Con 01 Variety Kit has an RRP of £59.99, while the Labo: Toy-Con 02 Robot Kit retails at £69.99. The Customisation Set costs £8.99.

While the prices of the two kits may seem high given Labo’s cardboard construction, it’s worth noting that both kits come with the game card with the Labo software. Though we’re not currently aware of what Nintendo has in store next for Labo, it’s not an unreasonable assumption to make that future kits may be available without buying another game card, and thus will cost less.

Can I replace any parts?

One of the beauties of Labo is that it’s simple to replace should you break any of your parts. Whether you’ve crashed your car or accidentally punctured your piano, there are two solutions available to you.

Firstly, Nintendo have announced that they’ll be selling the cardboard layouts for individual sets. This means that if you damage just one of your models, you can replace it without having to buy the others or the software again. Currently, these replacement kits aren’t available on Nintendo’s UK store, but they should be soon.

Your second option is downloading the templates direct from Nintendo and applying them to any cardboard you’ve got lying around. This is particularly handy if you’ve damaged just one or two tiny components and have no need to purchase most of the model again.

Can I used Labo with any console?

No, Labo works only with the Nintendo Switch. No older Nintendo consoles, nor any PlayStation or Xbox consoles, will work with it.

How long does it take to put the Labo kits together?

Each kit is different, with varying levels of complexity. Some, like the RC car, are expected to take only around ten minutes per car. Others, like the piano, with its intricate inner workings, can take upwards of three hours. Polygon have written a handy guide on the length of time each kit took them on average to put together.

Have we missed any questions you’d like answering? Get in touch with us and we’ll add it to the guide.

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